Truss-pad.



PATENTED DEC. 6, 1904.

'A. E. JOHNSON TRUSS PAD.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 6, 1904.

H0 MODEL.

witmeaogoz fla @t" NITED STATES Patented December 6, 1904:;

PATENT OFFICE.

TRLJSS-PAD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 776,914, dated December 6, 1904.

' Application filed June 6,1904. Serial No. 211,339. (No modeLl To roll when). it 'm/rt l concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED E. J oHNsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bloomington, in the county of McLean and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Truss- Pad, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to truss-pads.

The object of the invention is in a ready, practical, and positive manner to hold. the pad positioned upon the wearer against possibility of shifting, and to permit of the pad-support having a yielding movement in any direction from which strain may come, thereby materially increasing the comfort with which the device may be worn and preventing excessive pressure, which might be harmful.

With the above and other objects in view. as will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction and combination of parts 01 a truss-pad, aswill be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts, there is illustrated one 't'ormoit' embodiment of the invention capable of carrying the same into practical operation, it being understood that the elements therein exhibited may be varied or changed as to shape, proportion, and exact manner of assemblage without dcparting from the spirit thereof.

In the drawings, Figure l is a View in perspective of a truss-pad constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a View in longitudinal section. Fig. Bisa view in horizontal section.

The device is represented as composed of four spherical pads 1, 2, 3, and 4:, a pad-assembler 5 in the nature of a rectangular frame upon which the pads are mounted, and a padcarrier comprising a pair 01 bails 6 and 7, the terminals of which are swiveled in the outer sides of opposite pairs of the pads, and a head 8, movable upon the bails and having means to attach it to the hip-band of the truss. As the hipband and other parts of the truss form no part of the present invention, illustration of them is omitted.

The pad-assembler 5 is constructed ofresilient wire and is bent into an approximately rectangular form, the pads 1, 2, and 3 being pierced transversely to receive the two sides and one end member of the assembler and the terminals of the side members being inturned to form pintles 10, which engage sockets in the pad. 4. The natural resiliency of the assembler will hold the pads closely assembled, as shown in Fig. 3, butwill allow a certain amount of yielding movement to increase the comfort in use of the device. As herein shown, the pads are solid spheres made of rubber and all of the same diameter; but it is to be understood that they may be made hollow, of dillerent sizes, and other than spherical, and as this will be readily understood illustration is deemed unnecessary.

The two bails 6 and 7 form, in conjunction with the head 8, substantially a universal joint, to effect which the terminals of the bails are formed into pintles 11, which project from the outer sides of the cushions inward at or near their median lines, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. By this arrangement the bails have a swinging movement about the pintlc as an axis, and the openings 12 and 13 in the head, in which the intermediate portions of the bails are housed, are of such size as to permit the head freely to slide upon either of the bail members, according to the direction of strain upon the pad.

As herein shown, the head is provided with a lateral slot or recess 9 to receive the padsupport 1a, a portion only of which is shown, and is held from lateral disconnection from the head by a screw 15, which passes through the upper member and partially through the lower member formed by the recess to one side of the support. To clamp the support in the head against possibility of shifting when once adjusted, a jam-screw 1.6 is employed, which passes through one end of the head and engages the support, as clearly shown in Fig.2.

By the manner of assembling the pads and by the swiveled feature of the bails the pad when once fastened upon the wearer will re main in m t at under strains of any character, inasmuch as where strain is applied to the bails they will yield in the direction of the strain, and thus cause the cushions to remain firmly but yieldingly seated upon the parts to which they are applied.

The cushions, as stated, will be made of rubber, and the bails, carrier, and head will preferably be made of material which is noncorrosive or non-oxidizable in character, and under these conditions the pad may be re moved from the band and cleansed, thus to keep it in a thoroughly sanitary condition and to insure its freedom from any secretions which would otherwise be present if the pads were of absorbent material.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is-- 1. A device of the class described, comprising a pad, and a carrier therefor longitudinallyand transversely yieldable across the pad.

2. A device of the class described comprising a pad and a carrier combined therewith and adapted for movement longitudinally and transversely of the pad independently thereof and in a plane approximately parallel with its operative face.

3. A device of the class described embodying a pad, and a carrier combined therewith and movable independently thereof and comprising longitudinally and transversely yield able members.

4. A device of the class described comprising a pad, and a carrier combined therewith and adapted for independent rocking motion longitudinally and transversely thereof.

5. A device of the class described comprising a pad, crossed supporting elements combined therewith, and an attaching-head mounted upon the members and movable at the intersection thereof.

6. A device of the class described comprising a pad, a carrier having members combined therewith for rocking movements, and an attaching element movable longitudinally of the carrier members.

7. A device of the class described comprising a plurality of pads, a resilient assembler for holding the pads combined, a pad-carrier embodying members combined for rocking movement with relation to the pads, and a head movable on the members.

8. A device of the class described comprising a plurality of connected pads, a carrier comprising members mounted for swinging movement with relation to the pads, and an attaching-head orificed to receive the members and movable longitudinally thereof.

9. A device of the class described comprising a plurality of pads, means for holding the pads assembled, bails movably connected with opposite pairs of the pads, and a head movable on the bails and provided with means for attachment to the hip-band of the truss.

10. A device of the class described comprising a plurality of pads, means for holding the pads assembled, bails movably connected with opposite pairs of the pads, a head movable on the bails and provided with a lateral recess to receive the pad-support, means for holding the support against lateral separation from the head, and m cans for clamping the support at any desired adjustment within the head.

11. A device of the class described comprising a plurality of pads, resilient assembling means for holding the pads combined, bails movabl y connected with opposite pairs of the pads, a head movable on the bails and provided with a lateral recess to receive the padsupport, a screw carried by the head to hold the support from lateral disconnection therefrom, and a jam -screw carried by the head to lock the support therein.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ALFRED E. JOHNSON.

WVitnesses:

A. J. MoRRIs, KATHERINE Gr. MCCARTHY. 

